Pressurized containers using phase change system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of providing nearly constant pressure during operation of a device incorporating a pressurized container and more particularly pre-ignition lubrication mechanisms for internal combustion engines, pressurized pre-combustion oiling mechanism for use with internal combustion engines, pressurized water or other fluid tanks, and pressurized fluid and other pressurized material dispensers. The present invention provides an accumulator tank containing either air or an easily condensed gas. The pressurized oil causes the air or gas in the bag to become compressed, causing a decrease in occupied volume in proportion to the pressure induced by the oil to allow the oil to occupy a suitable portion of the tank. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressurized oil would cause the easily condensed gas to undergo a phase change and liquify. Conventional valving known in the state of the art is provided to allow the accumulated pressurized oil to be used prior to a subsequent engine startup, and conventional electronic control systems are provided to engage and disengage the aforementioned valves for a proper pre-ignition lubrication sequence. The present invention also provides a means of enhancing the volume of oil delivered by the accumulator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for permitting the accumulation and pressurized release of a fluidized material to a system utilizing said material, comprising: A. a housing for storing said fluidized material and at least one material other than air used to generate the source of said pressure;   B. a means for releasing said fluidized material from said housing into said system under pressure from said pressure source material to permit said system to utilize said material   wherein the accumulation of said fluidized material in said housing causes said pressure source material to undergo compression to increase the pressure available for releasing said fluidized material into said system, and   wherein said pressure source material is an easily condensed gas which undergoes a phase change from a gaseous state to a liquified state as said material is accumulated in said housing and which undergoes a phase change from a liquified state to a gaseous state as said material is released from said housing.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a means for supplying said fluidized material from said system to said housing to permit said fluidized material to be accumulated in said housing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material from said engine is electrically actuated. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material comprises an electrical switch activated by an electrical control system. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said switch is selected from the group consisting of a timing switch and a pressure switch. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material from said engine is mechanically actuated. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material comprises at least one valve. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material from said engine is electrically and mechanically actuated. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for supplying said lubricating material comprises at least one valve activated by an electrical control system. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pressure source material is stored in at least one flexible container which collapses and expands to permit introduction and release of a fluidized material from a system comprising the environment external to said housing. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said means for supplying said fluidized material comprises means for transferring said fluidized material from said environment. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for releasing said fluidized material comprises means for removably sealing said fluidized material within said container. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said housing is selected from the group consisting of beverage containers, paint containers and foodstuff dispensers. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said flexible container is made of a nonpermeable material. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said flexible container is selected from the group consisting of a membrane and at least one collapsible ball. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluidized material is selected from the group consisting of oil, water, a water-based fluid, and a synthetic material. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said material other than air comprises a compressible gas. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said compressible gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, or any other nonoxidizing gas. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said easily condensed gas is selected from the group consisting of freon, butane, butadiene, butene, ammonia, a fluorocarbon, a fluoro-hydrocarbon or a fluoro-chloro-hydrocarbon. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said easily condensed gas provides a substantially constant pressure to release said lubricating material from said housing. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressure source material is stored in at least one flexible container which decreases in volume as said lubricating material is accumulated in said housing. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said flexible container is made of a nonpermeable material. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said flexible container is selected from the group consisting of a membrane and a collapsible bag. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for releasing said lubricating material from said engine is electrically actuated. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said means of for releasing said lubricating material comprises an electrical switch activated by an electrical control system. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said switch is selected from the group consisting of a timing switch and a pressure switch. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for releasing said lubricating material from said engine is mechanically actuated. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for releasing said lubricating material comprises at least one valve. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for releasing said lubricating material from said engine is electrically and mechanically actuated. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for releasing said lubricating material comprises at least one valve activated by an electrical control system. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one heat source for heating said easily condensed gas as said gas undergoes a phase change from said liquified state to said gaseous state. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said system is selected from the group consisting of a gasoline-powered engine, a diesel-powered engine, and a gas turbine engine. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a pressurized storage tank. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said storage tank is selected from the group consisting of a water tank, a water heater, a deep well pump storage tank, and a shallow well pump storage tank. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus contains a mechanism for increasing the volume of the fluidized material supplied to said system by said apparatus. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said mechanism comprises an injection device for increasing the velocity of said fluidized material as it is released from said apparatus. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said mechanism further comprises an anti-backup device for preventing said fluidized material from flowing in a direction opposite that permitted by said releasing means. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said anti-backup device comprises a check valve. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said system comprises means for lubricating an engine.